Willett’s Masters memory tarnished by putting

Nick Westby

Danny Willett shot three rounds under par on his Masters debut but left Augusta yesterday feeling let down by his putting.

The 27-year-old from Sheffield added a third 71 of the week to Saturday’s testing 76 to finish on one over par, a score which will be good enough for a finish of around 40th.

He birdied three of the last six holes on Sunday, including the last, to finish on a high, but said: “It’s a bit disappointing.

“I played some good golf but didn’t ever quite get it going.

“I had 33 putts today for a 71, so my ball-striking is good but I couldn’t take advantage. It was a bit of a stale week really, on the course.”

He added on Twitter: “Very on and off week.. Struggled on the greens.. Work needed..”

Willett did win two sets of crystal glasses for his eagle on the 13th in the first round, courtesy of a raking 64-foot putt, and on the eighth in the third round, which came in between six bogeys.

“The highlight of the week was one of the eagles, probably the one on 13 was the best,” said Willett, whose status as the European Tour’s Race to Dubai leader was under threat on Sunday night by Justin Rose’s challenge for the green jacket.

“You watch that putt go up and across and over and drop in from 60-odd feet; watching it on TV was very nice.

“It’s been a great week, though. I’ve had my wife, mum, dad and little brother here and my wife’s dad too, so it’s been fun. We’ve been having dinner every night at the ISM house and it’s been great craic with everyone there.

“None of us are flying home until tomorrow so we’re going to go and get showered and go back and watch it play out with a few beers.”